Control and timing apparatus



Feb. 6, 1934. c. G. BLISS CONTROL AND TIMING APPARATU lllllllll 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTO CARL G-BL/SS (i/$6 ATTORNEY Filed Feb. 10, 1931 Feb. 6, 1934. c. e. BLISS CONTROL AND TIMING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 10, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet A I p i i? a 25 E ,e ,e 1 ,ae" C v 7 6 INVENTOR 6-2. CARL GEL/6's u, @WM/ ATTORNEY Feb. 6, 1934. c. s. BLISS I CONTROL AND TIMING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 10, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Il o INVENTOR Q CARL G.BL/SS ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 6, 1934 CONTROL AND TIMING APPARATUS Carl G. Bliss, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Standard Boiler and Steel Works, Los Angeles,

Calif., a business trust Application February 10, 1931. Serial No. 514,770

8 Claims.

My present invention relates to a control and timing apparatus, particularly adapted to be used in connection with a mixer and means for feeding materials to the mixer.

The objects of this invention are: First, to provide an apparatus of this class whereby the contents of the mixer cannot be-discharged or dumped until the materials in the mixer have been mixed for a predetermined period; second,

10 to provide an apparatus of this class whereby the timing means, for mixing the materials in the mixer a predetermined period, is set in operation when the feed means, for supplying the mixer with materials to be mixed, is operated, and particularly when and after the desired batch to be mixed has been fed or discharged into the mixer; third, to provide an apparatus of this class whereby the feed control means is locked for preventing a further supply of materials to the mixer while the mixer is being dumped and until the mixer is again placed in condition for receiving more materials to be mixed; or while the discharge gate of the mixer is open and until the gate is again closed; fourth, to provide asa whole a novel control and timing apparatus of this class for mixers and feed means therefor; fifth, to provide a very simple, economical, efiicient, and reliable electric control and timing apparatus for mixers and feed means therefore, and particularly where the feed means is in the form of a weigh hopper which is at all times yieldably supported and which may move various distances or to various positions depending upon the amount of materials weighed in the hopper at one time;

and, sixth, to provide an apparatus of this class which is durable and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, I have devised a control and timing apparatus having certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangementof parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the i5 accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this application in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a paving plant including a mixer and means for feeding materials to the mixer, and

incorporating my control and timing apparatus in one form; Fig. 2 is a partial side elevational and partial sectional view thereof taken through 22 of Fig; 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken through 3-3 of Fig. 2, showing switch and lock means in connection with the feed control means; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through 55 of Fig. 1 showing the latch means in connection with the. mixer dumping means; and, Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing one form of wiring diagram of my control and timing apparatus.

Like characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the views of the 35 drawings.

Although my present invention for timing and control apparatus is applicable to many industries and may be used in connection with many different types of machines, the description, as 7 well as the illustrations, of the present embodiment of my invention will be confined to paving plants.

The principal elements of the paving plant shown, consists of a main storage hopper A hav- 7 ing a plurality of separate and separately controlled storage containers, a weigh hopper B supported on scales or weighing means below the storage hopper, and a mixer C positioned below the weigh hopper and adapted to receive measured quantities of various ingredients or materials from the weigh hopper B.

In. my copending application for measuring apparatus filed May 2, 1930, Serial No. 449,111,

I have disclosed means for controlling the discharge of measured quantities of ingredients or materials from the separate storage containers into the weigh hopper and for controlling the dumping of the weigh hopper by the measuring apparatus therein disclosed and claimed. My present invention may be used in connection with or independently of such measuring apparatus for controlling the discharge of the materials from the weigh hopper or feed means, as the same has also been designated herein.

The weigh hopper B consists of a receptacle 1 having discharge control means at the lower side in the form of hinged gate members 2 which may be opened and closed by a manual control means consisting of a shaft 3 and a handle 4 secured at one end of the shaft, the shaft 3 being rotated in a counter clockwise direction for opening the gate and rotated in a clockwise direction for closing the gate.

The mixer C shown in the drawings, consists of a mixing receptable 5 having mixing elements therein (not shown) and provided at the lower side with a. discharge or dumping gate 6. This dumping gate is reciprocally mounted and is adapted to be drawn to one end of the mixer for no uncovering the opening by a hydraulic or other fluid controlled cylinder 7 and piston mounted therein (not shown). The reciprocation of the piston which is connected to the gate 6 by a piston rod 8, is controlled by a valve 9 having a manually controlled valve stem 10.

My control and timing apparatus consists essentially of an electromagnetic latch means D for locking the gate of the weigh hopper, an electromagnetic latch means E for locking the control valve 9 against operation, a timing and switch means F for controlling the latch means E and to some extent the latch means D, a switch means G in connection with the weigh hopper gate control means, a switch H in connection with the mixer gate, and a main control switch J.

The latch me'ans D, as shown in the drawings, consists of a collar 11 secured to the weigh hopper gate control shaft 3, a latch member 12 pivotally mounted intermediate its ends and provided at one end with a lug 12a adapted to enter a notch 11a in the collar, and a pair of electromagnets 13 and 14 adapted to be separately energized for forcing the locking end of the latch member toward the collar, the electromagnet 13 having a movable armature 13a pivotally connected to the opposite end of the latch member, and the other electromagnet having a movable armature 1411 having a lug 14b intermediate its ends adapted, when the electromagnet 14 is energized, to engage the latch member for holding the same in looking position. The latch means D is preferably enclosed in a casing 15 to prevent unauthorized tampering with the latch mechanism.

The latch means E, as shown in the drawings, consists of a disc 21 secured to the valve stem 10, an electromagnet 22 having a reciprocating armature 22a. The armature is provided at the disc side with a locking portion 22b which, when the magnet is energized, is adapted to be urged upwardly against the under side of the peripheral portion of the disc and is adapted to enter or to be positioned opposite a segmental cut away portion 21a when the valve is closed or in substantially a closed position. When the electromagnet 22 is not energized, the armature 22a is adapted to drop by gravity and to clear the disc, permitting the disc to be rotated for opening the valve 9. The latch means E is also preferably enclosed in a casing 23 to prevent unauthorized tampering therewith.

The timing and switch means, designated F, and enclosed in a dotted rectangle in Fig. 6, is of a type in common use. This timing and switch mechanism will be described in connection with the other elements of the circuit, and the switches G and H hereinbefore mentioned.

The main switch J, when closed, supplies the electrical energy to the system, there being provided a signal light 26 for visibly indicating that the switch is closed. The switches H and G are secondary switches which control the supply of electrical energy to the timing means and the several electromagnets. The switch H is a double throw switch which is normally in the position shown by solid lines in Fig. 2. The switch H assumes such position when the gate 6 is closed, and assumes the dotted line position when the gate has been opened.

The switch G consists of a pair of contacts 27 and 28 and a pivoted switch member 29 which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends and normally held in disengaged relation from the contacts 27 and 28 by a spring 30. One end of the switch member 29 is adapted to be e gaged by a lug 11!) on the collar 11. When the gate of the weigh hopper is opened, the lug 11b engages the switch member 29 forcing the same in a clockwise direction until the same is tripped, when the switch member 29 assumes its neutral position. When the gates of the weigh hopper are closed, the switch member is rotated in the opposite direction connecting the contacts 27 and 28 until the lug 11b assumes the solid line position, shown in Fig. 3, when the switch member 29 is again tripped, again assuming a neutral position. Thus the connection of the contacts 27 and 28 is only momentary.

The timing and switch means is provided with an electromagnet 31 and a synchronous motor 32, the latter serving as the timing means. One

of the leads of the electromagnet and the motor is connected directly to one of the poles of the switch J by a wire 33. The other lead of the electromagnet is connected directly by the wire 34 to the switch G. The other lead of the motor 32 is connected by a wire 35 to a switch 36, which, when the switch is closed, connects the other lead of the motor also to the wire 34. When the switch G is closed, the electromagnet 31 is energized and the timing means set in motion. When the electromagnet 31 is energized, a switch arm 37 is shifted from the solid to the dotted line position. Since the closing of the switch G is temporary only, the closing of the switch 37 5 connects the electromagnet to the source of current through another path, namely through the flexible connection 38, the switch 37, and the wire 39 which is connected to the switch H ahead 'of the switch G. The switch member 37 is a piv- When the switch 37 is forced to the dotted line position, a force is applied on the switch member 40 tending to force the same to its dotted line position, but such shifting of the switch member 40 is prevented by a pawl lever 42 which normally engages a notch or cam wheel 43 operated by the synchronous motor. When the pawl lever 42 is forced outwardly by the notched or cam wheel 43, the pawl lever disengages the switch member 40 permitting the same to be forced by the spring 41 to the dotted line position. Such shifting of the switch member 40, however, takes place only after the expiration of the period at which the timing means is set. The switch 36 is provided with a pivoted switch member 44 which, when the timing means is in operation, closes the switch 36. The switch. member 44 also yieldably engages the switch member 40. The pivotal connections of the switch members 40 and 44 are connected by a flexible connection 38. The switch member 40 is normally held in the solid line position with the switch member 44 closing the switch 36 by means of a tension spring 45.

The operation of my control and timing appauntil the lug 11b assumes the solid line position 1 ,3

shown in Fig. 3. While the handle 4 is so shifted and immediately before the gates 2 are closed, the switch G will have been closed setting the timing means in operation and also energizing the electromagnet 31 throwing the switch mem- 15-3 her 3'7 to the closed position, shown by dotted ing of the mixer for a predetermined interval,

lines, and putting the switch member 40 under tension. When the switch G is closed, the .electromagnets 13 and 22 of the latch means D and E are energized, actuating the latches thereof and holding the gate control shaft 3 and the valve stem in locked positions. When the switch member 37 is shifted to the dotted line position, the electromagnets 13 and 22 are not afiected. But when the synchronous motor has been operated a predetermined period, the switch member 40 is released, allowing the switch member 44 to open the switch 36 and break the circuit to the electromagnets 13 and 22, unlocking the valve stem 10. But as soon as the switch member 40 is forced to the dotted line position, the current is directed through the wire 4'? to the electromagnet 14, thus holding the weigh hopper control shaft 3 in a locked position. The shaft 3 will remain locked until the gate 6 of the mixer is opened and again closed. The initial opening of the gate 6 will throw the three-way switch H from the solid to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 6. Such throwing of the switch H merely disconnects the timing and switch means in connection therewith from the source of power but continues tofnergize the electromagnet 14 for locking the shaft 3. When the gate is returned to its closed position, the switch H is returned to the solid line position, disconnecting the electromagnet 14 from the source of energy. Since the switch G is open, the electromagnet l4'is not energized through this path. The latch member 12, by reason of its own weight, is then permitted to be rotated about its pivotal axis and to be disengaged from the notched collar 11. The gates 2 are then permitted to be opened. As the gates of the weigh hopper are closed, the switch G is again momentarily closed and the apparatus set foranother cycle of operation.

It will be here noted that the switch G is shown closed when the weigh hopper gates are closed. It is obvious that this switch may be closed when the feed hopper gates are opened. Other obvious changes may be made without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions of my control and timing apparatus, and particularly such an apparatus as applied to a paving plant, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of my invention, the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, a mixer having a discharge gate, a feed means for supplying the mixer with materials to be mixed, said feed means having a feed control gate, a latch in connection with the feed control gate for locking the same in a closed position, a timing means for controlling the opening of the mixer gate and simultaneously unlatching the feed control gate, and an instrumentality actuated by the mixer gate and connected with the latch whereby said latch is caused to lock said feed control gate in a closed position immediately after the mixer gate is opened.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a mixer, timing means for withholding the dumpfeed means for feeding materials into the mixer, means for controlling the feed means, means operatively connecting the control means with the timing means in such a manner that the timing means is set in motion after the control means isoperated, and other means including a first element engageable with said control means and a second element operated by said mixing gate whereby the control means is prevented from being operated while the mixer is being dumped.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, a mixer, timing means for withholding the dumping of the mixer for a predetermined interval, feed means for feeding materials into the mixer, said feed means having a control gate, a latch for the control gate, and means for holding the latch in a closed position while the mixer is being dumped, including a first element arranged to actuate said latch, and a second element connected with the first element and operated by the mixer upon shifting of the parts thereof to a dumping position.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, a mixer, electrically responsive timing means for controlling the dumping of the mixer, feed means for feeding materials into the mixer, said feed means having a control gate, and switch means adapted to be closed when said gate is completing its closing movement, said switch means being connected to the timing mechanism in such a manner that the timing mechanism is set in motion when said gate is closed.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, a mixer, means for dumping the mixer, an electromagnetic latch for locking the dumping means, a source of electrical energy adapted to be connected to said latch, a feed means for supplying the mixer with materials to be mixed, a gate for controlling the feed means, an electromagnetic switch for connecting the electromagnetic latch to said source of electrical energy, a second switch in connection with the gate adapted to be actuated when the gate is closed for connecting. the electromagnetic switch to said source of electrical energy for closing the same, and electric timing means in the circuit with the electromagnetic switch, said timing means adapted to release the electromagnetic switch after the timing means has been operated a predetermined period.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a

mixer, means for dumping the mixer, an electromagneticlatch for locking the dumping means, a source of electrical energy adapted to be connected to said latch, a feed means for supplying the mixer with materials to be mixed, a gate for controlling the feed means, an electromagnetic switch for connecting the electromagnetic latch to said source of electrical energy, a second switch in connection with the gate adapted to be actuated when the gate is closed for connecting the electromagnetic switch to said source of electrical energy for closing the same, electric timing means in the circuit with the electromagnetic switch, said timing means adapted to release the electromagnetic switch after the timing means has been operated a predetermined period, and a second electromagnetic latch in connection with the gate and connected in the circuit with the first latch for locking the gate.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, a mixer, means for dumping the mixer, an electromagnetic latch for locking the dumping means,

a source of electrical energy adapted to be connected to said latch, a feed means for supplying the mixer with materials to be mixed, a gate for controlling the feed means, an electromagnetic switch for connecting the electromagnetic latch.

to said source of electrical energy, a second switch in connection with the gate adapted to be actuated when the gate is closed for connecting the electromagnetic switch to said source of electrical energy for closing the same, electric timing means in the circuit with the electromagnetic switch, said timing means adapted to release the electromagnetic switch after the timing means has been operated a predetermined period, a second latch in connection with the gate, an electromagnet positioned in the circuit with the first electro magnetic latch adapted, when energized, for locking the gate, a second electromagnet in association with the second latch, a switch in connection with the mixer dumping means for connecting the latter electromagnet to the source of electrical energy for locking the gate until the mixer is dumped.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, a mixer, means for dumping the mixer, an electromagnetic latch for locking the dumping means, a source of electrical energy adapted to be connected to said latch, a feed means for supplying the mixer with materials to be mixed, a gate for controlling the feed means, an electromagnetic switch for connecting the electromagnetic latch to said source of electrical energy, a second switch in connection with the gate adapted to be actuated when the gate is closed for connecting the electromagnetic switch to said source of electrical energy for closing the same, electric timing means in the circuit with the electromagnetic switch, a second latch in connection with the gate, an electromagnet positioned in the circuit with the first electromagnetic latch adapted,- when energized, for locking the gate, a second electromagnet in association with the second latch, a third switch in connection with the timing means for disconnecting the electromagnetic latch and the first mentioned electromagnet of the second latch and for connecting the second electromagnet of the second latch to said source of electrical energy for holding the gate in a locked position after the timing means has been operated a predetermined period, and a fourth switch in connection with the mixer dumping means for disconnecting the timing means and the electromagnetic switch from the source of electrical energy and again connecting said second electromagnet to the source of electrical energy for holding the gate in a closed position while the mixer is being dumped, the second electromagnet being deenergized when the mixer is again in condition to receive more materials to be mixed.

CARL G. BLISS. 

